Recently, I’ve fallen head over heels for falafels in a big way. First tasting this Middle Eastern delicacy in Annapolis this Spring, I’ve since become a huge fan of this naturally gluten-free dish.
While checking out the Winter Park Whole Foods Market, I stopped by the prepared foods case and found a goldmine of gluten and dairy-free friendly foods from Aramouni’s by Nature’s Healthy Gourmet. This Port St. Lucie company was specially curated as a part of Whole Foods’ effort to source local products unique to regional stores. Among the many gluten and dairy-free options were tabouli, and falafels, all gluten-free, dairy-free and calling my name.
What really sold me on these two Middle Eastern delicacies is that they are made with real ingredients, and free from preservatives, chemicals, or other additives that should not be in food. In addition, their perfect packaging rendered them a good choice as a grab-n-go meal, both requiring no additional prep to enjoy.
Although it’s not needed, I decided to pop the falafels in the oven for a few minutes to warm them up for testing. They’re nice and big, perfect for sitting atop a salad or sliced in half for a sandwich. The chickpea and fava bean mixture is fiber-rich and protein packed, and the garlic, onion, black pepper, and salt add a nice seasoning that is simple, yet delicious. I found that the longer I cooked them, the better they were, as the outer skin crisped up and the whole falafel seemed more flavorful. I did not sample the tahini sauce because I am not really a sauce person.
The falafels initially caught my eye, but the lentil quinoa tabouli stole the show. This lively mixture of onion, tomatoes, lentils, and quinoa is fresh and bursting with flavor, while the dressing of parsley, lemon, salt, and black pepper packed a whole lot of flavor from natural sources. As with the falafels, I love how this tabouli uses a minimal amount of ingredients to render a naturally delicious, and naturally healthy treat. I will definitely be stopping by for more tubs of this in the future!
Because Aramouni’s products are a Whole Foods Market exclusive, you can only find them locally at Whole Foods Markets. I picked both products up at the Winter Park store. For more information on Whole Foods’ focus on locally produced products, click here.
Disclaimer: This review is current to the original publication date. Updates will be noted. Ingredients and manufacturing processes can change without notice. Each product should be reviewed for individual nutritional needs. Feel free to to contact me with any questions or comments. I purchased this product independently and the review is a reflection of my personal opinion.